Wilson Flyer?

[annakyn]

Hi. Does anyone know what type of boat this is? I bought it recently and was advertised in the paper as a Mayland. After looking on the net at 17' Maylands, she's not very similar! She looks to me like a Wilson Flyer, but can't find any markings anywhere to confirm this. Any ideas?

 

[BarryH]

Looks very much like a Wilson Flyer. Lots of them were/are home completed after the bare mouldings being purchased. The company used to advertise in Boat Mart magazine. I say "used to" as I've not bought it for a while. A search on google should throw up some contact details........Portsmouth rings a bell

 

[annakyn]

Yeah they do still advertise. I actually got a brochure from them the other day and the boat has a slightly different window design etc than current models. They don't have an email address or website though so can't get photos to them!

Only wondering cos the guy I bought her from was an experienced fisherman and find it strange that he thought it was a Mayland if it wasn't true, but didnt want to be rude and question him!!

 

[B175Chris]

Well here's a video of a Wilson Flyer 17 but it;s probably different because of the year it was made..?

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3s20m_wilson-flyer-17-fast-fishing-boat_auto

 

[omega2]

Could be a Task Force, not sure if they are still in business or maybe became Wilson, Task Force were based on the Isle of White I think.

 

[annakyn]

Hmm ok haven't heard of them before. The cuddy seems much taller than on other wilsons ive seen in photos. Apart from that there arent many differences.

 

[FAITIRA]

There was a guy near Dumfries in Galloway made a lot of boats very similar. They would have had no markings as they were 'dodgey' copies.

 

[jfm]

That hull mould was cloned and copied a zillion times since it first appeared in about 1975 (becuase it was so good) and was made under brand names like Mariner 17, Nab 17 dory, Pilot 17, Seahog, and others, as well as Wilson flyer. You see them everywhere. Definitely not a Mayland 17! There are lots of different superstructures becuase builders used to clone the mould but make their own cuddy. They were normally rated to 85hp max but they're fine with 125hp. Your cuddy looks taller than a usual one. I have had a couple of them, currently this one which was made to for me 5 years ago to my own spec by a specialist moulding company in nottingham who just borrowed the mould from one of the many places that have clones lying around!

 

[omega2]

We had a Pilot 590, again a similar type of hull but with a cuddy type topsides

as stated these were a very popular format but I am still drawn to Task Force being the maker of yours.

 

[jointventureII]

Im 99% sure thats wilson flyer. the larger models have really small cabin windows each side which look a bit pointless, the smaller models (like yours) have the 3 large ones

 

[annakyn]

Excellent thanks! I might send some pictures to Wilson boats to clarify too. Bloody lucky it was advertised as a Mayland really as noone seemed interested in it up in Shetland. A Wilson Flyer however is the perfect fishing boat for here!

 

[scoobydoo59]

hi, its a pilot 550 if its 18ft long or a 590 if its 20ft long, i have a pilot 560 identical to yours with high cabin, and the makers "pilot 560" decals still on the cabin and hull.
have pics if you want
dave
scoobydoo59@btinternet.com

 

[scoobydoo59]

hi, its a pilot 560 if its 18ft long or a 590 if its 20ft long, i have a pilot 560 identical to yours with high cabin, and the makers "pilot 560" decals still on the cabin and hull.
have pics if you want
dave
scoobydoo59@btinternet.com

 

[Divemaster1]

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Is this a wilson flyer

Hi, the picture of you boat might have many fooled, but i can tell you 100% that your boat is a pilot 570, used to have one myself and now own a pilot 590, there are suttle differances between them and the wilson, the pilots have i slightly narrower beam, different wheelhouse,different hull line at the bow, too many to list, but be assured you do have a pilot 570

 

[Davy_S]

Just to throw a spanner in the works, Icelander also sold the same hull! I know because I had one.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Hi icelander boats were very very similar, but have differant mould round the topsides,just to throw a spanner out the works